General Introduction : The Scope of Pharmacognosy , Definitions and Basic Principles .

Pharmacognosy : Is the study of medicinal
products in their crude , or unprepared form . The word derived from the Greek
words Pharmakon (drug) , and gnosis or (
knowledge ) .

Pharmacognosy is a subject o identify or
authenticate the plant parts using macroscopical , anatomical &
phytochemical characters ,and it includes the study of the physical , chemical
, biochemical and biological properties of drugs, drug substances or potential
drugs or drug substances of natural origin as well as the search for new drugs
from natural sources.

Although pharmacognosy isprincipallyconcerned with plant materials , there are some
animal products which are traditionally encompassed within the subject such as
( beeswax , gelatin , wool fat ,Vitamins …..etc). In addition to that
the antibiotics , hormones and others may be also involved , Marine organisms (
Plants & Animals ) which have special potent pharmacological actions are
now paied high attention in the search for new drugs .

There are some materials
having no pharmacological action but have interest to pharmacognosists are (
Natural fibers , Flavoring and suspending agents , colorants , disintegrants ,
stabilizers , and filtering and supporting media . Also there are other
materials that have natural associations with the subject are ( Poisonous &
Hallucinogenic plants , allergens herbicides , insecticides & molluscicides
) .

Pharmacognosy Science Concerned With Studying the Following Subjects :